A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Glycovariant-based diagnosis of bladder cancer using urinary mucin 1 and carcinoembryonic antigen; 
Authors: Syed, Parvez; Islam, Md. Khirul; Kekki, Henna; Terävä, Joonas; Lamminmäki, Urpo; Boström, Peter J.; Leivo, Janne; Gidwani, Kamlesh
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis
Article number: 117589
Volume: 280
ISSN: 0731-7085
eISSN: 1873-264X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2026.117589
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2026.117589
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/533876766
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
Glycan alterations, or glycovariants (GV), are well-recognized features of malignant transformation and are commonly observed in several cancers, including bladder cancer (BlCa). However, their integration into practical diagnostic assays remains limited. Here, we investigated whether glycan modifications on the urinary glycoproteins mucin 1 (MUC1) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) could serve as diagnostic indicators for BlCa diagnosis. MUC1 and CEA were captured directly from urine samples of patients with benign prostate disease (n = 20) and BlCa (n = 19) by immobilizing monoclonal antibodies against these glycoproteins on microtitration wells. Cancer-associated glycan structures were detected using wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) lectin and glycan-specific antibody C241 (a clone of anti-carbohydrate antigen 19–9), both conjugated to Eu+3-doped nanoparticles. This glycovariant-based detection approach enables selective recognition of disease-associated glycoforms. By combining assay results, several models were constructed to evaluate marker panels with improved sensitivity and selectivity. A combined diagnostic model incorporating MUC1-WGA and CEA-C241 immunoassays, designed to detect N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) on MUC1 and sialyl-Lewisa (sLea) structures on CEA, achieved approximately 95% sensitivity and 95% selectivity for identifying bladder cancer. The MUC1-WGA assay alone distinguished cases with 79% sensitivity and 95% selectivity, while other individual GV assays demonstrated comparatively lower sensitivities. In contrast, conventional protein-level measurements showed lower diagnostic performance. Concurrent detection of glycan alterations on MUC1 and CEA improved discrimination between bladder cancer and benign conditions. This GV-assay framework provides a modular platform that can be extended to incorporate additional urinary biomarkers. However, validation in larger patient cohorts is required to confirm clinical applicability.
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Funding information in the publication:
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the TEKES-DBT PROVATECT project (decision no. 40089/14). M.K.I. acknowledges funding from the Liedon Säästöpankkisäätiö and Lounais-Suomen Syöpäyhdistys.